The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-18
LudiCrous Situation Of B,guS Spiritualistic
Medium at Kokomo.
Various Special Dispatches From ALI Quar-
tsrs Of the State.
Impsled on q Rcd-A1 Ohio Doctor Becomes
Insane at Anderson.
Bitten by a COpperhead-The Army Worm
Death of n Young Lady-Donatton
TO wabash College.

KoKoMo, May 15.-It has been some two
wears since DR.. d. Hubert came here from
Battle Greek, Mich, and opened the
'Kokomo Medical Dispensary," at his
dwelling on North Main street. The Doc
tor is quite an old man, and his wife is q
mlddlea aged lady. Since living here they
have each written occasional articles of
strong spiritualistic tone for the local press.
They are intelligent people and their pro-
duciions quite readable. For the past few
months private seances have been held IN
an upper room Of the Hubert mansion,
from time to time, a medium could be
procured. Ateach meeting few persons
were invited to attend and pay an admis-
sion fee at the door. A few people, of
more or less prominence, gradually became
interested, and finally, converted to spir.
itualism, became frequent attendants
spirits of their departed friends
materialized in their presence
and that they were permitted to
shake hands and engage in conversation
with them. To these innocent believers
in the delusion this was a pleasure well
worth the paltry dollar it cost to gain ad
mittsnce to the charmed circle. At differ
emit times the wonderful things being done
in that mysterious upper chamber would be-
come noised about town, cause little ripple
of a sensation, arouse few more curious
ones who would go and "see for them
selves" and the thirg was soon forgotten
sgain, Meantime the circle grew in
numerical strength and faith. To the
doctor this meant converts and cash. The
seances became frequent and well attended.
But now comes the elimination OF the
whole matter. Two weeks ago a man of
perhaps thirty-fve or forty years of age
appeared on the scene, and announced
himself ss G. E. Winans, clairvoyant and
test medium, and hailing from Eiinburg,
Ind. He held materializing seances
almost nightly up to Friday evening, at the
Hubert house. The manifestations, if
genuine, were truly wonderful. The most
incredulous were mysti6ed at what they
beheld. Their skepticism almost vanished
for the time. But Friday ]. w. Barnes,
County Superintendent: II. E. Henderson,
of the Dispatch; Sherman McCane, Charley
Ravens and James Crilley made up their
minds to obtain admittance and test the
genuineDess Of the whole matter. Accord.
ingly they were all on hand at the ap-
pointed time. Mr.. Wlnan's clothing was
sown fast to the chair in which he sat- his
pants stitched together at the knees, his
hands filed with cornmeal and tightly
closed. Then the curtains were drawn and
the lights extinguished, save very dim
light, arranged to give certain effects.
After several manifestations MIR. Barnes
struck match and Mr.. McCune made a
rush for the medium, whe tried to keep
him out and struck him a blow
with his list. The medium had re-
moved his pants and his shirt was
tied around his waist. When he found he
was caught he sank down and laid in q
state of apparent inconsistencies until he
was arrested. He is now il Jail awaiting
his trial this evening on the charge OF
fraud. When the affair became known on
the streets this morning it was soon the
topic of conversation all over town. The
HuIberts admit to-day that the thing is
fraudulent. but how they could go on
from day to day for months assisting in de-
luding others aud not sooner detect its
true character is what puzzles the COM
munity. ,
Mr.. Winans. the prisoner, is OF a good
| family, and has formerly borne fair repu-
tation. He says this is the second time he
has been caught in this way, and declsrrr
| he will quit the business,